Open Air Business October/November 2018

GLAMPSITES
comment on the local makers who helped
to make the space, or leave directories of
locally sourced products available in the
area so your guests can take a piece home
for themselves - this could be for anything
from local honey to a furniture maker.
Sourcing sustainable products is also
key and doesn’t need to be expensive.
Try to use organic bed linen, natural
soaps, environmentally friendly washing
detergents and consider likely market
groups such as vegetarians, vegans and
those with high risk of allergies, all things
now continually on the rise.
Workshops or courses can also be a
great way of marketing mid week or out
of season stays and this fits beautifully
with the rise in wellness and sustainability.
Yoga and makers’ retreats are continually
popular with those wanting to escape the
rat race of modern life. Be sure to sell the
whole package by adding elements to
your internals during these events, maybe
provide a yoga mat and herbal tea to each
space or create a shared, cosy dining space
for large groups in the evening. Small
touches such as lemoned water and rustic
tea light holders through the centre of the
table help to create an atmosphere that will
draw guests back again and again.
THINKING OUTSIDE OF THE BOX
In order to set yourself apart in the industry,
thinking outside of the box is essential.
Be sure to spread your creativity and
theming across your site to avoid having
one beautiful space and the rest letting
you down. Gone are the days of white tiled
campsite bathrooms, and whether it is a
shared facility or not, it is key to make these
areas as aesthetically pleasing as the rest.
I love bathroom design and trends
because you really can transform a
space with accessorising on a very small
budget. With new products on the market
such as tile paints, grout pens and wood
effect lino, it really doesn’t need to be
a complete reconstruction. Concrete is
particularly popular in bathrooms at the
moment, however can be imitated with
concrete effect finishes or accessories.
We also love dark blue and green metro
tiles which give a clean and trendy finish.
Brass is back, and vintage brass taps on an
upcycled draw sink unit can make a huge
impact. Add trendy but playful elements
by incorporating fun tropical print shower
curtains or towels.
Other areas to consider are outdoor
spaces, shared alfresco kitchens (which
can be a real statement), fire pit areas and
dog wash facilities.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Nikkita Palmer is an expert in the trend of small spaces and is passionate about ‘slow design,’
reconnecting with nature, the importance of community and the trend of experiences rather than
things. Visit www.nikkitapalmer.com (@nikkitapdesigns on social media) to view her furniture and
interior work or get in touch at nikkitapalmerdesigns@gmail.com / 07766 827997.
To view Nikkita’s collaboration with Universal Glamping, visit www.glamploft.com
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